Chairman's Report - 1999

John Hutchinson (March 2000)

The 1999 Season will be best remembered for outstanding performances by all the Inter-League teams. The Under 13s team, led by Martin Ainscough (Horwich) and managed by David Clitheroe took all before them, winning the Teddy Gerrard Trophy against the Bolton Association by two matches to nil (one match void due to bad weather) and landing the North West Peak Sports Trophy for the second year running, comfortably overcoming the Lancashire County League by six wickets in the final at Hawk Green CC, Marple. Outstanding contributions were made by several players during the season, but special mention must be made of Nick Woods (Horwich) and Matthew Moar (Walkden), both of whom scored centuries, which is a rare achievement at this level. Well done to Nick and Matthew, and indeed to the whole team, who were never less than well behaved, well mannered and a credit to the Fort James Bolton League.

The Under 15s XI captained by William Halton (Astley Bridge) also performed well, though not perhaps as consistently as the Under 13s - a situation not helped by the many team changes which were forced on the selectors during the season.

The team had a tough time in the North West Colts Trophy, losing to both the Cheshire County League and the Derbyshire and Cheshire League in the group matches. However, in the Michael Roche Trophy it was a different story. After comprehensively defeating the Southport and District League by 141 runs in the semi final, the Bolton League team faced the Lancashire County League in the final at Burscough CC.

Having won the toss and batted, we struggled to 145 for 8 from our 40 overs on what looked a good pitch. However, excellent spells of containing bowling, particularly from Adam McLoughlin (Bradshaw) four for 24, restricted the opposition to 118 all out, leaving the Bolton League as Michael Roche champions for the second time in three years. Unfortunately, the season ended slightly less happily, with a defeat by the Bolton Association in the annual Derek Slater Trophy match at Astley Bridge CC. All round, however, not a bad season.

After the bitter disappointment of losing the final of the 1998 MEN Trophy on the penultimate ball of the match, the Bolton League Under 18 XI tasted glorious victory in this year's final held at Royton Cricket Club. The opponents, the Central Lancashire League, won the toss and elected to bat. As was the case for most of the season, the Bolton League attack bowled accurately and economically, particularly Sajid Mahmood (Astley Bridge) with three for 19 from nine overs and Chris Barrow (Farnworth SC) with one for 13 from 10. This restricted Central Lancs to a total of 158 all out, which never seemed anything like enough on a near perfect batting track.

Despite losing both Tim Barrow and Karl Bates early on, the League coasted to 159 for four, thanks largely to a classy 55 not out from Chris Evans (Bradshaw) and a very hard-hitting 66 not out from Sajid Mahmood. Not surprisingly, Sajid was pronounced Man of the Match, an award he also took in the team's previous two games - surely a unique and unprecedented hat-trick. Well done Sajid! The League lads also tasted success in the annual Brian Hollows Trophy match at Farnworth Social Circle, defeating the Bolton Association by the comfortable margin of 62 runs.

In winning the Gerrard Trophy, the Peak Sports Trophy, the Michael Roche Trophy and the MEN Competition, the Bolton League became the first league ever to hold all four trophies at the same time. Many congratulations to all concerned.

On the domestic front, the League and Cup competitions at all age groups were dominated by two clubs - Little Lever and Farnworth Social Circle. Little Lever landed the League and Cup double at Under 13s level and won the Mervyn Porter Trophy at Under 15 level. Meanwhile, Farnworth Social Circle's Under 18s won both the League and the Jake Tatlock Trophy (for the sixth year running) whilst their Under 15s took the League Championship following an end-of-season win over main challengers Heaton CC. Congratulations to both clubs, and also to the respective runners-up, Egerton (U18 Cup), Westhoughton (U18 League), Horwich (U15 Cup and U13 Cup), Heaton (Under 15 League) and Bradshaw (U13 League).

At Under 11's level, another highly successful festival day was held at Walkden CC on August Bank Holiday Monday. In a closely fought final, Astley Bridge emerged as winners, collecting the Frank Hinks Snr Trophy, defeating a plucky Egerton CC side who, as runners up, picked up the Tom Smith Memorial Trophy. Many thanks to Roger Pickford and his colleagues at Walkden CC for once again organising the Festival Day so efficiently.

For the 2000 Season, the Under 11's becomes an official Bolton League competition, although entry will remain voluntary and Chorley CC will continue to participate by invitation. The Under 11's fixtures and club contacts for 2000 are contained elsewhere in this handbook.

Also in 2000, there will be a new format to the Under 18s League Under 17s 

Chris Barrow (Farnworth SC)
Daniel Rees (Astley Bridge)
Sajid Mahmood (Astley Bridge)
Mark Atherton (Westhoughton)
Karl Bates (Walkden)

Under 19s 

Chris Barrow (Farnworth SC)
Chris Evans (Bradshaw)
Paul Atherton (Westhoughton)

in addition, Chris Evans, Chris Barrow, Tim, Rees, Martin Ainscough and Nick Woods went on to represent the North of England at their respective age groups, whilst Chris Barrow was selected for the full England Under 17 XI for two matches against Scotland Under 18s at Scarborough. Many congratulations to all these lads.

Finally, to the sad news. Firstly, Dave Clitheroe has stepped down from his position as Under 13s Secretary and Team Manager. Whilst in this post, Dave was never less than diligent and fully committed, and the considerable success of the Under 13s Inter-League team last year was testament to Dave's hard work and dedication. I am sure that Dave will return suitably refreshed to offer his services to the League sometime in the future.

Two stalwarts of junior cricket who we will not be privileged to meet and talk to again are our junior League Treasurer, Bob Brabin, and that avid follower of all things cricket in Bolton, Reuben Mather, both of whom passed away this year. Both men contributed so much to Bolton League cricket, particularly at junior level, and we are not likely to see their like again for many, many years to come.

In memory of Reuben, his family have kindly agreed that the new one-day competition for Under 18s be named after him, with the winners receiving the 'Reuben Mather Memorial Challenge Cup'. I am sure that this will prove a fitting way to remember this unique man.

Good luck to everyone in 2000.